{"id":5255,"date":"2012-11-07T23:59:05","date_gmt":"2012-11-07T23:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsterindia.com\/career-advice\/improve-your-written-communication-skills-5255\/"},"modified":"2024-04-30T17:59:55","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T12:29:55","slug":"improve-your-written-communication-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/improve-your-written-communication-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Improve your written communication skills!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
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\nPhoto<\/strong>: Shutterstock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AVOID JARGON Too many terms and phrases used to say very little can bore or turn off people. Keep your communication brief, courteous and geared towards a call to action<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

AN<\/strong> enthusiastic job applicant once wrote in his cover letter: \u201cI am about to enrol on a Business and Finance Degree<\/a> with the Open University. This qualification will prove detrimental to me for future success.\u201d The prospective employer wondered – why would anyone enrol for a course that is \u201cdetrimental\u201d? Perhaps the applicant meant \u201cdeterminant\u201d. Sadly, as first impressions go, the damage was done and the job applicant did not hear back from the potential employer.<\/p>\n

On the record<\/strong>
\nIn the world of work, while verbal communication is important, the written word is even more so because what is said verbally may be forgotten but what is written survives for decades! Once an e-mail is sent, the information is on record. Hence, written communication<\/a> must be well thought through.<\/p>\n

Communication is money<\/strong>
\nAnd nowhere else as in business communication, is clarity more important – as the monies involved are huge. Hence, any effort to improving one\u2019s writing skills is invaluable investment of time and effort. Business communication follows the same principles of communication: gentle, persuasive, mutually beneficial. Where it differs is its emphasis on formality and protocols.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a quick checklist for sound written communication.<\/p>\n

1. Be professional, but not too formal.<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s a fallacy to view all business communication as formal and stiff. \u201cI wish to apply to your esteemed company, or If given an opportunity I will work to ensure to your complete satisfaction. Yours Very Obediently,\u201d in today\u2019s open and democratic spirit would sound archaic. At the same time, informal shouldn\u2019t mean unprofessional \u2013 there is no place for personal comments, off-colour jokes, and gossip in your business mails. ASAP for \u201cas soon as possible\u201d is accepted but not \u201cThks 4 ur gr8 help.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Less is more.<\/strong>
\nIn business writing, concision matters. Use words sparingly, cut out flowery prose, and avoid long, meandering sentences. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n